Serious Injuries From Falling Down Stairs
Falling downstairs can be utterly terrifying and result in significant and life-changing injuries for the victim. Falling downstairs happens in the blink of an eye and often there is no way to prevent or stop the fall.
A respected medical journal called, the American Journal of Emergency Medicine reported that at least one million people annually become injured in stairway and stairwells falls every year in the United States. Clearly, it is vital that stairway fall victims be able to recover just compensation from the property owner or at-fault party for their injuries.
Stairwell Accident Injuries: Who is Legally at Fault?
Every property owner has a duty under New York State law to maintain their property. This includes stairways and stairwells, in a reasonably safe condition for use by tenants, guests, and others. This applies to both private residential as well as commercial properties such as shopping malls, grocery stores, apartment buildings, office buildings, etc.
If the property owner does not so maintain their premises, they can be held negligent. Examples of such negligence may include:
- Broken or missing handrails
- Inadequate, missing, or unsafe lighting
- Stairs that are in disrepair, too narrow, or too steep
- Loose, missing or rotting stair treads
- Worn stairway carpeting or treads
- Stairs that are wet or slippery
- Missing stair boards, or cracked or uneven stairs
- No warning signs of possible hazardous conditions
Injuries from Falling Down Stairs
Hospital emergency room statistics indicate that stairway slip and fall accidents are a serious source of injury for people of all ages. The frequency of such accidents is increasing. Many such injuries include serious fractures and concussions. Common injuries from falling downstairs include:
- Compound fractures and related injuries to hands and wrists
- Spinal cord damage
- Neck and back injuries
- Deep lacerations and contusions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Other damage to internal organs
In many cases, recovering stairway and stairwell accident victims require extensive physical therapy and related treatment to regain normal life functions. But some stairway accident victims never fully recover, being left with lifelong disabilities and chronic pain.
Should I Contact an Attorney? McMahon Kublick Law Offices in Syracuse NY
If you or someone you love has sustained injuries as a result of falling downstairs, we encourage you to contact a Syracuse slip and fall, accident lawyer. If your injuries were the result of the carelessness or negligence of another, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
The personal injury lawyers of McMahon, Kublick PC in Syracuse, New York our an experienced team. They will work diligently to help you recover the maximum compensation to which you are entitled too. This includes the costs of medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Don’t wait. Contact us for a free consultation and case review today. Use our convenient website chat app to speak with a friendly, courteous chat operator, or call (315) 424-1105.
